Millions of Americans are touched by HIV/AIDS every day, but some populations are affected more than others, especially minority groups. African Americans are most affected by HIV in the United States, followed by Hispanics/Latinos, American Indians/Alaskan Natives, Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders, and gay and bisexual men.
Many organizations are working to educate, empower and support these communities in an effort to change the statistics. Here are some you can turn to for support services online and in your community:
The National Minority AIDS Council is working every day in minority communities to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic. For more information on how HIV/AIDS affects these groups, visit http://nmac.org/minorities-hiv/.
Minority AIDS Support Services assists in sustaining and improving health, protecting the dignity, and encouraging independent living of people with HIV/AIDS. http://minorityaidssupport.org
The Minority AIDS Project (MAP) is a California nonprofit organization that provides free educational and other HIV/AIDS-related support services without regard to age, gender, ethnicity, culture, language or other circumstances. These services are available to all, but with a primary focus on African-American and Latino communities in Central and South Central Los Angeles.http://www.minorityaidsproject.org/english/
Your local health department or community health organization may offer assistance, information and/or programs for people living with HIV/AIDS. For a listing of state departments, visit http://www.ehdp.com/links/us-shas.htm.
The Body – a complete HIV/AIDS resource with treatment and prevention information, personal stories and opportunities to engage with experts and other people living with HIV/AIDS. Also offers a list of HIV/AIDS organizations and resources by state.www.thebody.com
POZ/AIDSmeds Community Forums – empowers people living with HIV/AIDS, their caregivers, and loved ones through up-to-date information. Topics include mental health and HIV, nutrition and HIV, women diagnosed with HIV, and long-term survivors of HIV. http://www.aidsmeds.comhttp://www.poz.com
Let’s Stop HIV Together Trusted Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Governmental authority Go to source - a campaign run by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). HIV-positive individuals come together to share their personal stories and remove the stigma of HIV by putting a face to the disease.http://www.cdc.gov/actagainstaids/index.html Trusted Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Governmental authority Go to source PatientsLikeMe - a health data-sharing platform that’s meant to improve the way people with HIV manage their disease.http://www.patientslikeme.com
HIVAidsTribe - a community meant to bring those living with HIV together to share stories and form friendships.http://www.hivaidstribe.com
HIV Stops With Me (HSWM) – a multifaceted, national social-marketing campaign that aims to prevent the spread of HIV while also reducing the stigma associated with the disease. http://www.hivstopswithme.org
CDC Act Against AIDS Campaign Trusted Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Governmental authority Go to source AVERTing AIDS and HIV UNAIDS The United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS
World Health Organization Trusted Source World Health Organization Highly respected international organization Go to source DHHS Center for Disease Control Trusted Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Governmental authority Go to source National Center for HIV/AIDS Trusted Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Governmental authority Go to source